Is this busy time of year affecting your sleep?
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) – Living in Alaska, we know the daylight and darkness can have an effect, but to what extent and how can you tell if you’re not getting enough shut-eye?
Dr. Harry Yuan, Pediatric Medical Director with the Alaska Sleep Clinic said for those of us who live in Alaska, the sun and lack thereof play a big part. When there are different amounts of light that skews more towards darkness, it tends to make people sleepier and they have more difficulty staying awake. When it comes to kids and the holidays, they’re out of school and want to stay up later, which causes their sleep to be off.
“One of the most important things I stress to parents is the importance of keeping bedtimes and wake times consistent. So I don’t necessarily tell the parents and the children what time bedtime should be, I let them determine that, but I do recommend that they don’t vary by more than an hour,” he said.
Dr. Yuan said symptoms of sleep deprivation have a lot to do with cognitive function.
“There are studies that show sleep deprivation, or not getting enough sleep, is very much like drinking and driving behind the wheel because of the reflex,” Yuan said.
EDUCATIONAL eBOOKS FOR DOWNLOAD
Our philosophy at Alaska Sleep Clinic centers around patient education, more importantly patient sleep education. We recognize the value proper education has on long-term therapy and compliance. The more information a patient has about their sleep troubles, the more likely they are to be proactive about seeking and maintaining treatment.
That’s why we’ve devised a series of e-books on a variety of topics derived from common questions our patients ask us. If you’re looking for tips to improve your sleep hygiene, want to know more about sleep apnea, wondering what the different types of sleep studies are and what they entail, or if you have questions or concerns about CPAP masks and accessories, then you’ve come to the right place.
And the best part about these e-books is that they’re absolutely free!
All you have to do is select a topic you’re interested in, fill out a quick form, and the e-book will be downloaded directly to your computer.
Getting information on sleep disorders has never been easier.
Read more about Alaska Sleep Clinic’s Pediatric Medical Director, Harry Yuan, M.D.
